Over St. John's CE Primary SchoolHead Teacher Blog: Friday 1st April 2022
Date: 1st Apr 2022 @ 11:11am
Easter Service
This morning we celebrated our Easter Service in St. John’s church. It was so lovely to see so many of you there to share the Easter message of hope with our children. We realise that although the message of Easter may initially seem like a sad one, it is actually full of hope and joy for something better - a new life with God. For those who were able to attend, I am sure you will agree that it was a beautiful service where the children sang and read with such confidence and it was a pleasure to be a part of.
Summer Uniform
As we come to the end of the Spring Term today, I know that many of you will be thinking about summer uniforms for next term. Please may I take this opportunity to remind you of the options for a summer uniform as detailed in our uniform policy, which is available on our website. School uniform consists of:
- Light blue polo shirt
- Blue school sweatshirt or cardigan
- Grey skirt or grey trousers
- Sensible black shoes (not trainers) which are flat and offer support, Velcro fastenings are ideal
- Grey or white socks, grey tights
- Blue/ white checked summer dress or grey shorts in the summer
Family Easter Fundraiser
Please find attached below details of a Family Easter Fundraising Party that is very kindly taking place at Meadow Bank Club in support of the school. The event is taking place to raise money to replace equipment that has been damaged on an ongoing basis by ‘visitors’ to the school outside of school hours. We are very grateful for all the support that we have received since we made this public and would like to thank everyone who has and continues to support the school and our children.
Easter Eggstravaganza
St. John's church are holding an Easter Eggstravaganza on Easter Sunday in the church hall. There will be games and crafts for the family. Please see the flyer attached below.
Staffing
Today we say goodbye to Mr Partington who has been our brilliant Site Maintenance Officer since September – but fortunately not a proper goodbye! Some of you may know that Mr Partington has Bar No4 at the end of Delamere Street and juggling commitments between there and school can be difficult. Mr Partington will stay at school as a member of staff but rather than be in school on a daily basis, will be in school to complete jobs as and when required. The fabulous Mrs Reid, who keeps our school looking and smelling beautifully clean will now take on more responsibility as Caretaker, so our school continues to be in safe hands between them both, as previously.
We have welcomed Mrs Highton back to school following on from her adoption leave and she will be working in Linmere three days a week. Sadly, this means we say goodbye to Miss Hawkins who has been expertly covering Mrs Highton’s adoption leave and I am sure that you will join with me in wishing her every future success – I know that she will be taking up a place on a teaching course in September.
Mrs Highton will also be working in the office on a Monday and a Friday, covering Mrs Rutherford’s maternity leave, as sadly Miss Howley was unable to continue in the role due to medical reasons. We would like to send Miss Howley our good wishes and prayers for a very speedy recovery.
Parking
I have been contacted by a neighbour who is becoming increasingly frustrated with parked cars blocking her driveway at school drop off and pick up times. Twice this week alone she has not been able to get on to her drive when arriving home. Whilst I appreciate that it may not be anything to do with us and could be other members of the public, please may I remind everyone to be considerate of our neighbours so that it does not cause issues for them or for the school. There is Tesco car park and The George car park in very close proximity to the school. Many thanks.
#WakeUpWednesday
Most people know the story by now. What started out as a morally questionable (but technically accomplished) mechanism for rating female college students’ pictures, evolved into the flagship platform of a planet-spanning multi-billion-dollar empire – making a household name of its creator and adding an entirely new dimension to the 21st-century concept of ‘friendship.’ Facebook’s slightly questionable beginnings may seem like a lifetime ago now, but similar concerns and controversies have continued to haunt the platform even during its phenomenal growth. National Online Safety’s updated #WakeUpWednesday guide to the social media titan alerts trusted adults to potential issues with inappropriate content, oversharing and contact from strangers.
Television Programme Opportunity
We have been contacted by a television production company called Love Productions, who are the makers of The Great British Bake Off and Junior Bake Off. They are making a brand-new programme for Channel 4 and are looking to find children to take part in a once in a lifetime wild camping adventure this summer. They are looking for children ages 9-11 from all areas of the country, from a range of backgrounds, abilities and ethnicities.
They have contacted schools across the country to invite the parents and carers of children in Years 4, 5 and 6 to put their family forward to take part in this adventure. The experience takes place this summer holiday in a rural location in Britain. The programme will explore what children are capable of in an outside, wild environment. After the last few years of lockdown, they think it’s the right time to make a programme about kids getting to experience the great British outdoors.
Please note: the kids will be under constant supervision by trained chaperones/experts at all times. This project does not involve children taking any time out of school.
You can find more information at: www.applyforthewild.co.uk
Parents can also email them at kidsinthewild@loveproductions.co.uk
Free Online Short Courses
Cheshire College South and West are supporting the Parents, Carers and Staff at Cheshire School’s with Free Certificated Level 2 Flexible online courses to help support personal and professional development. The college would take on all administration tasks and support to learners and the courses are funded for Cheshire and Warrington Schools. If you are interested to see what they have on offer, please see the attached document below.
School Dinners
School dinners cost £2.34 per day, £11.70 per week. Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 receive free meals as part of the government’s Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM) scheme. Dinner money must be paid in advance via School Spider.
If you are in receipt of benefits and think that you may be entitled to free school meals, please click here for more information and support and how to apply. It is very important to apply for free school meals whatever year your child is in, even if you receive the UIFSM in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, as the school receives a sum of extra money to further help support your child and their education.
Absence during Term Time
Please may I remind you that schools are not allowed to authorise pupil holidays in term time. Any child going on holiday in term time will receive an unauthorised absence. Our registers are regularly checked by the Education Welfare Service and parents may be issued with a fine from the Local Authority for unauthorised absence, which is currently £60 per child, per parent and this rises to £120 if paid after 21 days but within 28 days.
Confirmed Dates for the Spring Term 2022 – new dates highlighted
Friday 1st April: School closes at 2pm
Tuesday 19th April: School starts at 8:45am
Monday 2nd May: School closed – May Bank Holiday
Monday 9th May - Thursday 12th May: KS2 SATs Week
Tuesday 17th May: Pupil Consultation Evening 4pm – 6pm
Thursday 19th May: Pupil Consultation Evening 3.15pm – 5.15pm
Friday 27th May: Jubilee Celebrations Day – non uniform day – dress in red, white and blue.
Tuesday 19th July: School closes at 2pm
Have a lovely Easter with your family and friends.
Take care,
Mrs E Snowdon